Chapter 4 is here! I would like to thank all the people who reviewed this. It is GREATLY appreciated. This chapter is kind of along with the game… which I don't own… (That would be Disney and the amazing SquareEnix team)

Please read & review

Bold Italics – Thought speaking

Italics - Thinking

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Chapter 4

Let the Games Begin

After seeing this kid... Sora.... advance a bit more, he didn't seem to be all that great.

"That little punk is your next opponent, okay. Now don't blow it. Just take him out." He may have been doing all this stuff later for him but Cloud had no interest in his 'advice'. Why did he seem so.... tense? Like the kid was such a threat. Either he's just being paranoid or this kid is just warming up. Cloud remained against the wall, arms crossed over his lean chest.

"The great god of the Underworld is afraid of a kid?" he murmured. He felt Hades' glare, but again ignored him. After all he'd been through that wasn't going to unnerve him. "Sorry, but my contract says---"

"I know! You think I don't know? I wrote the contract!" He wasn't important anymore. Cloud had everything that he needed, he didn't need him anymore. "I know it says you're only suppose to kill Hercules in this tournament..." he pointed to the one named Sora," But you've gotta fight that kid to get to him. Come on!" He frowned at Cloud's 'enthusiasm'. "Hey it's like that old goat says," he nodded his head to 'that old goat,' "Rule Number 11," Hades arms moved around exaggeratedly as he spoke. "It's just a game. So let loose and have fun with it!"

'A game? Yeah, right. This may be a game to you but not to me. If so, this is the big one. All or nothing,' Cloud thought angrily.

"I mean, a casualty or two along the way is no big deal, right?" He sighed inwardly, pushing off the wall and walking away. "Geez.... Stiffer than the stiffs back home. Still, suckers like him are hard to come by...." Cloud pushed past Sora, giving him a short glance before walking up onto the battle platform.

"Whoo... He looks tough, kid. I'd be careful if I was you," Phil said. Sora smiled.

"Ah, don't worry. I have my friends." Cloud frowned.

'Squall... Yuffie, I wonder what they're doing....,' he thought to himself. He seemed to had found the floor a little interesting until he heard faint footsteps. He looked up seeing Sora, a knight, and a magician.

"You guys ready? Donald?"

"Yep."

"Goofy?"

"Yes, sir, Sora, sir." Sora shook his head, laughing a bit.

"Let the match commence. Cloud vs. Sora, Donald, and Goofy." Phil announced. Cloud got down in a stance, beginning to slowly circle them, his new buster sword in hand. Donald and Goofy got on either side of him.

'Huh? They didn't do this before. This is completely different.' Sora charged only to get blocked but as soon as Sora was knocked away, Cloud was knocked down as Goofy slammed into him. 'When did he start moving!? I didn't see him!' Cloud rested a hand flat against the floor, twisting and landing a kick into the knight's side. Donald soon took his place, sending a Blizarra attack. Cloud was blasted in the face, sending him falling on his back, hitting the ground hard enough to knock the wind out off him.

"That's a penalty!" Hades complained from the sidelines. Yet to no avail. The blond jumped to his feet, unfazed, ice crystals falling loose from his hair. Seeing Sora out of the corner of his eye, Cloud turned using Sonic blade. However, Sora had jumped out of the way just in time. He'd had it now. Cloud suddenly became surrounded by tiny thunderbolts, a single black wing emerging from his left shoulder blade, blood splattering the ground as the wing extended open. It hurt but he had to do it. He flew up, lightning bolts crackling, blood trickling down his back and staining his clothes. He began quickly circling the battle arena, knocking down Donald, and Sora. After getting in a few hits, the ebony wing folded back under his cape, melding into his back, the blood remaining.

"Is that all ya got?" he asked, a smirk on his gorgeous lips. He used Sonic blade, Sora jumping over him again, then.... bang Cloud hit the ground hard, Goofy looking down at him with an apologetic look on his face.

"Gwash! Sorry 'bout that, Cloud." the knight said. Cloud got to his feet, wobbling a bit, dizzy. Donald used Gravia, causing the blue Mako eyed warrior fall to his knees.

'Sonna! How are they----- ?!' Drops of sweat and blood hit the ground, being pulled down by the mage's attack, his hair covering his eyes. 'I can't...... I can't lose........ Kira.....' His breath became labored, his body surrounded by a glow.

"No!" he screamed, looking up, his eyes glowing an eerie blue. The Gravia attack dispersed, the purple aura whirling around him causing his cape to flare up. Sora and the others jumped back, startled by his sudden but small boost in power.

"Wh-- What happened?!" Sora exclaimed, shielding his eyes. A blue aura surrounded the mercenary, spreading out and knocking his enemies down. Cloud gripped the hilt of his sword, energy dropping. Raising it above his head, he prepared to strike, a voice pleading to him.

Cloud, stop..... His eyes widen in shock, immediately recognizing the voice.

'Kira....' He paused, lowering the blade. Sora tilted his head, confused.

Come on, kid, Hades screamed. Finish it! Cloud lowered his weapon at his side, Hades unheard. A slight rumble caused him to look behind himself, a giant paw pinning him to the ground.

"Cloud!!" Sora screamed. As if sensing it, Cloud looked up though pinned beneath the demon's paw, watching the God of Death disappear into the shadows, eyes widening as he heard his words.

"Oh yeah, there's one thing I forgot: Accidents happen." Cloud's vision blurred red then faded to black.

---

The doors to the main entrance of Traverse Town opened, revealing a petite figure. Kumi scanned the First District, seeing mostly the usual people until she spotted what she what she was looking for.

"Tadaima!" Kumi chirped, running up to the unsuspecting group. They were presently in the empty diner, Leon against the wall while the others sat at a table. Cid took a drag from his cigarette, leaning back in his chair.

"Look whose back. Where the hell were you?" She sighed, crossing her arms.

"I told you where I was going, Cid. Now the question is were you listening."

"Probably not," he muttered, puffing out a ring off smoke. She waved the smog away, making a face.

"Must you?" Yuffie said in disgust.

"Anything to piss you off," Cid countered, smiling cruelly. Yuffie turned away from him, crossing her arms over her chest. Aerith sighed, shaking her head distastefully. "So, you're back early."

"Now you know where I went."

"I knew."

"I got beat," she replied, stretching. That caught Leon's attention. "It's okay though. It was good practice." Leon was about to ask who she'd lost to, but Aerith's voice cut him off.

"Cid! That's disgusting!" she shrieked, glaring daggers at the man. "Get your feet off the table!"

"I'll do whatever the fuck I want." Aerith stood, standing next to him, arms crossed.

"Now!" He removed his feet immediately, mumbling something about 'scary women.' "What was that?"

"I didn't fuckin' say anything!"

"Right..." Yuffie muttered, leaning her elbows on the table. Kumi giggled, a hand over her mouth. Aerith sat again.

"That man needs a new vocabulary," she muttered. Shaking his head, Leon pushed off the wall, walking out of the diner. Kumi stopped laughing, staring as he passed before following. Leon smiled, sensing her behind him. She glomped him a bit, clinging to his arm.

"Squall?" He gave her a sideways glance.

"Hm?"

"Where are you going?" He shrugged.

"Just away from everyone else." Kumi let go, looking away a bit.

"Do you want me to go?" She felt his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. He kissed the top of her head.

"No," he whispered.

---

Once he had awoken, he'd heard that Hades had attacked them with his pet, Ceberus, the guardian of the Underworld. Also, that the one he was sent to kill, Hercules, had saved him. Cloud treaded out to the Coliseum doors, sitting on the stairs. His mind became lost in thought about all that had happened.

'He betrayed me! That baka has my soul.... what am I suppose to do? Kira....... my love...... where are you? How am I going to find you now.......' His thoughts were interrupted by the boy with the keyblade, Sora.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Yeah...." Sora moved a bit closer but not too close to invade his personal space.

"So... why did you go along with him anyway?" Cloud paused a moment before answering.

"I'm looking for someone.... Hades promised to help." Kira flashed through his mind. He stood, looking down at Sora. "I tried to exploit the power of darkness, but it backfired.... I fell into darkness, and couldn't find the light." His frown was hidden behind his cape which wrapped up around his neck, his eyes wandered a bit.

"You'll find it." He blinked, his gaze shifting over to Sora once more. "I'm searching too."

"...For your light?" He nodded, that smile still plastered on his face. 'Maybe he does understand....... Maybe he's right.... Kira, I'll find you....' Cloud thought, walking up and giving Sora a gift.

"Don't lose sight of it." He began walking passed him, his tattered cloak flailing, when suddenly Sora grabbed his arm. Cloud's Mako eyes met ones filled with hope.

"Come with us."

"What?!" Donald exclaimed. "Sora!!!!!!" Ignoring the duck, Sora tugged on Cloud's arm a bit.

"Come on, we can help you. Besides, you can't leave this world without a ship." There was a short silence, neither breaking their gaze. Finally, Cloud smirked.

"Sure, why not."

"Because we can't!!!!"

"Donald!!" Sora whined. Donald faced the other way, arms crossed.

"Nope!" Sora gave an evil grin before grabbing Cloud's arm and dragging him beyond the doors to the ship.

"Hey!! He can't come with us!!"

"He's not suppose to be here anyway," Goofy pointed out.

"Hush, Goofy. You're suppose to be on my side," Donald complained. Sora laughed, taking the controls.

"Get in or I'm leaving without you!!!"

"Cloud has to stay!"

"Take off in 3....2....1..." Donald screeched, diving onboard as the door closed. "And we're off!" From the shadows, a pair of eyes witnessed the whole thing, following.

---

"So, where should we go?"

"We should restock. We're low on potions and Elixers thanks to blondie over here." Donald said, casting a glance toward Cloud.

"Cut it out. You're just mad that he's here."

"And it's true. We need to restock." Sora rolled his eyes.

"Fine then. Traverse Town, here we come."

'Traverse Town? Already? How long had I been out at Hades' place? What are they going to say?' Cloud became lost in his thoughts, remaining quiet the entire trip.

---

TBC…

A/U: Well, I hope you liked that chapter and if anything is confusing you guys, you can e-mail my (check my bio) and if/when you do be sure to put FANFICTION in the subject or I might erase it. (gomen ne!)

If I get a good amount of reviews (not to sound greedy but if people aren't reading then why bother) I'll put the next chapter up. Till then…

Ja ne,

Hotaru 'Chi' Sasaki